After finishing his first three opponents inside the Octagon, undefeated middleweight sensation Bo Nickal returned to MMA’s biggest stage on Saturday night for his toughest test yet at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden.
The former Nittany Lion was tasked with taking out submission specialist Paul Craig in a bout that could go a long way toward landing Nickal a potential spot in the division’s top 15 ranking.
Round 1
Nickal takes the center of the Octagon and throws a kick up the middle to get things started. Nickal lands a nice low kick and advances looking to land a right hand. Nickal offers up a couple more calf kicks and Craig finally lets his first strike fly—a body kick. Craig lands an inside low kick. Nickal comes back with an overhand right that fails to get through Craig’s guard. Craig goes back to the body with a kick before going high with another kick.
Nickal fires a shot back via a body kick and sticks Craig with a left. Nickal rips to the body but misses the mark. Craig doubles up on the jab and starts talking to Nickal inside the Octagon. Nickal lands a glancing overhand right as Craig fires back with a calf kick followed by a nice right hand that catches Nickal. Craig attacks the lead leg again and throws a body kick before the round comes to an end.
Round 2
Craig starts the second with a head kick, but nearly slips. Nickal kicks to the body and Craig is picking up the trash talk. Nickal continues to struggle to land as Craig is not biting on his feints. Craig blasts another body kick that catches Nickal on the arms. Nickal connects with a left hand as Craig’s hands start to drop a bit. Craig fires back with a combination punctuated by a front kick to the body.
Nickal fires right back, targeting the body of Craig. ‘Bearjew’ continues working the midsection of Nickal as we hit the halfway point of the fight. Thus far, Nickal has not attempted a single takedown but lands a dropdown left hand. Craig throws a couple of stiff body kicks that catch Nickal on the arms. Nickal throws a calf kick, but Craig checks it. Fans are starting to get frustrated with the lack of action as Nickal nearly lands a left hook near the cage. Craig attempted to counter with an elbow but narrowly missed.
Nickal connects with a nice left hand that pops Craig’s head back. Craig goes back to the body attacks. Nickal throws a last-second overhand right that Craig quickly counters with an uppercut.
Round 3
Nickal comes out continuing to look for that overhand right and nearly connects with one 30 seconds into the fight. Craig goes right back to his body attack. Nickal teases a takedown attempt but quickly thinks twice about it and backs away. Craig lands a couple of kicks to the lead leg of Nickal and adds a third kick to the body. Nickal sticks Craig with a left and follows it with a calf kick.
With just over two minutes to go, Nickal connects with a left and Craig appears to be favoring his eye. Craig backs up against the fence and Nickal pursues but declines to attack. Craig is bleeding from his right eye, but Nickal seems content to let him off the hook. Craig throws a couple of front kicks that miss. Nickal lands a body shot. The crowd is now chanting “overrated” aimed at Nickal as both fighters continue to stand in the center and do nothing.
With only seconds left, Nickal and Craig exchange strikes, but nothing substantial lands, and the fight ends with a chorus of boos.
Official Result: Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Check Out Highlights From Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig at UFC 309:
🗣️ "I'm having so much fun!" #UFC309
That's one relaxed Paul Craig 🤣 pic.twitter.com/5yy79qGypH
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2024
In the final seconds of Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig, MSG erupted with loud “Overrated” chants 👀 #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/9ykcO0WV4w
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) November 17, 2024
Bo Nickal with the golf celebration 🏌️♂️#UFC #MMA #UFC309pic.twitter.com/86RPnERnQp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 17, 2024
Bo Nickal exchanging words with Donald Trump following fight with Paul Craig#MMA #UFC #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/oeyGqSqyM0
— MMA Frenzy (@mma_frenzy) November 17, 2024
Still UNDEFEATED 😤@NoBickal gets the decision at #UFC309! pic.twitter.com/dK44dcY6I3
— UFC (@ufc) November 17, 2024
